More Americans oppose embryonic stem-cell research, survey finds

Published: 2006-06-01

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Despite pressure from supporters of embryonic stem-cell research, "Congress should not be misled" into believing that most Americans back the use of federal funds for research that kills embryos, according to an official of the U.S. bishops' Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities. Richard M. Doerflinger, deputy director of the pro-life office, cited a new poll that showed 48 percent of Americans oppose federal funding of stem-cell research that requires destroying human embryos, while only 39 percent support such funding. The rest said they didn't know or refused to answer. When told that scientists disagree on whether embryonic stem cells or adult stem cells would "end up being more successful in treating diseases," 57 percent of survey respondents said they favored research "using adult stem cells and other alternatives, to see if there is no need to destroy human embryos for research." Only 24 percent said they would support "all methods, including those that require destroying human embryos, to see which will be most successful." Another 11 percent said they did not support either option, and the rest said they didn't know or declined to answer. The poll, conducted by telephone among 1,022 U.S. adults May 19-23, had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent.

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